Arkansas AR-LG Landscaping
Contractor Practice Exam |
Questions, Verified Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Complete
Contractor License Exam Prep
Study Guide | Updated 2026
Question 1
Which soil property most directly affects the amount of water a
soil can hold for plant use?
A. Soil colour
B. Soil texture
C. Soil temperature
D. Soil odor
Correct Answer: Soil texture
Rationale: Soil texture, determined by the relative
amounts of sand, silt, and clay, strongly influences
water-holding capacity, drainage, and aeration.
Question 2
What is the primary purpose of adding organic matter to
landscape soil?
A. Eliminate all insects
B. Increase soil salinity
C. Improve soil structure and water-holding capacity
D. Prevent all weed growth
Correct Answer: Improve soil structure and water-
holding capacity
,Rationale: Organic matter can improve aggregation,
moisture retention, nutrient availability, and microbial
activity in soil.
Question 3
Which soil type generally has the fastest drainage?
A. Clay
B. Silt
C. Loam
D. Sand
Correct Answer: Sand
Rationale: Sand has relatively large pore spaces that
allow water to move through the soil quickly.
Question 4
What is the main purpose of a soil test before establishing a
landscape?
A. Determine plant height
B. Determine pH and nutrient conditions
C. Determine irrigation pressure
D. Measure mowing speed
Correct Answer: Determine pH and nutrient conditions
Rationale: Soil testing helps determine pH, nutrient
availability, and sometimes other characteristics needed
to develop an appropriate soil amendment and
fertilization program.
Question 5
Which soil pH is generally considered neutral?
A. 3.0
B. 5.0
C. 7.0
D. 9.0
Correct Answer: 7.0
,Rationale: The pH scale places neutrality at
approximately 7. Acidic soils are below 7 and alkaline
soils are above 7.
Question 6
What is the primary function of nitrogen in plant nutrition?
A. Root anchoring
B. Vegetative growth and chlorophyll production
C. Soil compaction
D. Flower pollination
Correct Answer: Vegetative growth and chlorophyll
production
Rationale: Nitrogen is an essential component of
chlorophyll and proteins and is particularly important
for healthy leaf and stem growth.
Question 7
Which nutrient is particularly associated with root development
and energy transfer?
A. Nitrogen
B. Phosphorus
C. Calcium
D. Chlorine
Correct Answer: Phosphorus
Rationale: Phosphorus participates in energy-transfer
processes and is important for root development and
reproductive growth.
Question 8
Potassium is commonly associated with which plant function?
A. Chlorophyll being the only plant pigment
B. Stress tolerance and regulation of water movement
C. Producing soil particles
D. Increasing soil compaction
, Correct Answer: Stress tolerance and regulation of
water movement
Rationale: Potassium supports numerous physiological
processes, including water regulation, enzyme activity,
and resistance to environmental stress.
Question 9
What is the best general practice when applying fertilizer?
A. Apply as much as possible before rainfall
B. Apply fertilizer to paved surfaces
C. Follow the product label and apply at the
recommended rate
D. Always double the recommended rate
Correct Answer: Follow the product label and apply at
the recommended rate
Rationale: Proper application rates reduce plant injury
and environmental contamination while providing the
intended nutritional benefit.
Question 10
What is the primary purpose of mulch around landscape plants?
A. Prevent all plant diseases
B. Conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature
C. Replace irrigation permanently
D. Increase soil compaction
Correct Answer: Conserve moisture and moderate soil
temperature
Rationale: Properly applied mulch helps conserve soil
moisture, reduce temperature fluctuations, and
suppress some weed growth.
Question 11
How should mulch generally be kept around the trunk of a tree?
Contractor Practice Exam |
Questions, Verified Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Complete
Contractor License Exam Prep
Study Guide | Updated 2026
Question 1
Which soil property most directly affects the amount of water a
soil can hold for plant use?
A. Soil colour
B. Soil texture
C. Soil temperature
D. Soil odor
Correct Answer: Soil texture
Rationale: Soil texture, determined by the relative
amounts of sand, silt, and clay, strongly influences
water-holding capacity, drainage, and aeration.
Question 2
What is the primary purpose of adding organic matter to
landscape soil?
A. Eliminate all insects
B. Increase soil salinity
C. Improve soil structure and water-holding capacity
D. Prevent all weed growth
Correct Answer: Improve soil structure and water-
holding capacity
,Rationale: Organic matter can improve aggregation,
moisture retention, nutrient availability, and microbial
activity in soil.
Question 3
Which soil type generally has the fastest drainage?
A. Clay
B. Silt
C. Loam
D. Sand
Correct Answer: Sand
Rationale: Sand has relatively large pore spaces that
allow water to move through the soil quickly.
Question 4
What is the main purpose of a soil test before establishing a
landscape?
A. Determine plant height
B. Determine pH and nutrient conditions
C. Determine irrigation pressure
D. Measure mowing speed
Correct Answer: Determine pH and nutrient conditions
Rationale: Soil testing helps determine pH, nutrient
availability, and sometimes other characteristics needed
to develop an appropriate soil amendment and
fertilization program.
Question 5
Which soil pH is generally considered neutral?
A. 3.0
B. 5.0
C. 7.0
D. 9.0
Correct Answer: 7.0
,Rationale: The pH scale places neutrality at
approximately 7. Acidic soils are below 7 and alkaline
soils are above 7.
Question 6
What is the primary function of nitrogen in plant nutrition?
A. Root anchoring
B. Vegetative growth and chlorophyll production
C. Soil compaction
D. Flower pollination
Correct Answer: Vegetative growth and chlorophyll
production
Rationale: Nitrogen is an essential component of
chlorophyll and proteins and is particularly important
for healthy leaf and stem growth.
Question 7
Which nutrient is particularly associated with root development
and energy transfer?
A. Nitrogen
B. Phosphorus
C. Calcium
D. Chlorine
Correct Answer: Phosphorus
Rationale: Phosphorus participates in energy-transfer
processes and is important for root development and
reproductive growth.
Question 8
Potassium is commonly associated with which plant function?
A. Chlorophyll being the only plant pigment
B. Stress tolerance and regulation of water movement
C. Producing soil particles
D. Increasing soil compaction
, Correct Answer: Stress tolerance and regulation of
water movement
Rationale: Potassium supports numerous physiological
processes, including water regulation, enzyme activity,
and resistance to environmental stress.
Question 9
What is the best general practice when applying fertilizer?
A. Apply as much as possible before rainfall
B. Apply fertilizer to paved surfaces
C. Follow the product label and apply at the
recommended rate
D. Always double the recommended rate
Correct Answer: Follow the product label and apply at
the recommended rate
Rationale: Proper application rates reduce plant injury
and environmental contamination while providing the
intended nutritional benefit.
Question 10
What is the primary purpose of mulch around landscape plants?
A. Prevent all plant diseases
B. Conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature
C. Replace irrigation permanently
D. Increase soil compaction
Correct Answer: Conserve moisture and moderate soil
temperature
Rationale: Properly applied mulch helps conserve soil
moisture, reduce temperature fluctuations, and
suppress some weed growth.
Question 11
How should mulch generally be kept around the trunk of a tree?
